Sponsorship of Parents & Grandparents to re-open on January 03, 2017

Good news! Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) raised the Parents and Grandparents Program cap from 5,000 to 10,000 new and complete applications. The program will re-open on January 03, 2017.

Here are the requirements if you are eligible to sponsor them:

1. Sponsor Eligibility

 

The sponsor should be any individual who is a Canadian Citizen, Registered Indian or Permanent Resident that is 18 years old or older.

 

Furthermore, the sponsor should meet the minimum necessary income to provide the basic requirements for the family members in Canada. Otherwise, the sponsor will need a co-signer to qualify.

 

2. Who cannot sponsor?

 

• Any individual in prison
• Any individual in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than disability
• Any individual who are subject to an immigration removal order
• Individuals convicted of crime
• Individuals who have provided false information to Immigration or who have not met conditions of entry
• Undischarged bankrupts

 

3. Calculating the family size

In order to determine the family size, you have to count yourself and your dependants. And your dependants includes your spouse, your children under 22 years old then the family members you are sponsoring (parents, grandparents and any of their children under 22 years old) and the number of persons you and your co-sponsor may have sponsored in the past.

 

4. Minimum Necessary Income

Once you determined the family size, look at the table below to help you decide if you have the financial ability to meet the requirements.

Federal Income Table for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

 

Size of Family Unit	Minimum Income 2014	Minimum Income 2013	Minimum Income 2012
2 persons	$38,272	$37,708	$36,637
3 persons	$47,051	$46,354	$45,040
4 persons	$57,125	$56,280	$54,685
5 persons	$64,791	$63,833	$62,023
6 persons	$73,072	$71,991	$69,950
7 persons	$81,355	$80,153	$77,879
If more than 7 persons, for each additional person, add	$8,271	$8,148	$7,929

 

 

For example, you are married, have 1 child and you are trying to sponsor you mother and father then the size of family unit would be 5. Your minimum annual income for 3 consecutive years must be $64,791, $63,833 and $62,023.

If you are applying in 2016, you must provide proof of income from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the taxation years of 2014, 2013 and 2012.¹

5. Eligible Co-signer

If the individual doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, the co-signer could be the spouse or common-law partner. Brothers, sisters, and children cannot co-sponsor. If this will be a problem, it may be best to figure out which of your siblings or children is willing and is best qualified to sponsor.

Assets, potential earnings, or assistance from other family members will not be considered.²

For example, if your unmarried brother and had no kids will try to sponsor your parents, the family size will only be 3. Then minimum annual income for 3 consecutive years for him will be $47,051, $46,354, $45,040.

6. Sponsors and Co-sponsors Obligations

Sponsors and Co-sponsors agree to provide their parents/grandparents and their dependants the basic requirements such as food, clothing, utilities, personal requirements, shelter, fuel, household supplies and health care not provided by public health, such as eye and dental care for 20 years.

The undertaking ensures that these persons and their family members do not have to apply for social assistance. It is an unconditional promise of support. For example, the granting of Canadian citizenship, divorce, separation or relationship breakdown or moving to another province does not cancel the undertaking. The undertaking also remains in effect even if your financial situation deteriorates. ³

For other information about the Parents and Grandparents program (PGP), you can visit directly the CIC website.

Once you are qualified and decided with the program, the application package includes the following and their PDF files are available at this link. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/sponsor-parents.asp

• Document Checklist
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement, and Undertaking
• Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable)
• Generic Application Form for Canada
• Additional Dependants/Declaration (if applicable)
• Additional Family Information
• Use of a Representative (if applicable)
• Fee Payment Form
• Instruction Guide

The application process

The instructions provided in this guide follow the basic steps you will need to know to complete your application.

1. Gather documents
2. Complete the application
3. Pay the fees
4. Mail the application (As of this moment, no online application)

Source:

¹ CIC application guide 5772, before you apply, Federal Income Table for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship.

² CIC application guide 5772, May I have a Co-signer?

³ CIC application guide 5772, what does it mean to sponsor parents and grandparents?

Parents and Grandparents Application Guide 

Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents